You Have a Superpower—It’s Called Critical Thinking

In a world flooded with information—and misinformation—how do we make sense of what’s real? At Empowered Community Inc. (ECI), our Critical Thinking vs. Misinformation initiative isn’t just about fact-checking headlines. It’s about understanding why misinformation spreads, who is most vulnerable to it, and how we can protect ourselves and our communities. Two powerful thinkers—Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Carlo Cipolla—offer surprising insights that can help us navigate today’s chaos with clarity and purpose.

The Danger of "Stupidity" – Bonhoeffer’s Warning

German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer lived during the rise of Nazi Germany, where propaganda was used to manipulate and control an entire nation. Bonhoeffer believed that the greatest threat to justice and truth wasn’t hatred or evil people—it was stupidity. But not stupidity in the sense of low intelligence. He meant a type of moral and intellectual laziness: a person who, when swept up by groupthink, stops thinking critically and starts repeating whatever they are told.

Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice… Against stupidity we are defenseless.

Bonhoeffer observed that people who were otherwise kind and decent could become complicit in terrible things simply because they refused to question authority or ask hard questions. He saw that once people surrender their thinking to a political movement or ideology, they often become immune to logic, evidence, or dialogue.

Real-world example: Think of how misinformation spread during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some people refused to wear masks or believed the virus was a hoax, not because they were malicious, but because they uncritically accepted what their social group or favorite media outlet told them. As Bonhoeffer warned, such intellectual passivity can have deadly consequences.

Cipolla’s 4 Types of People

Italian economist Carlo Cipolla approached a similar problem from an economic and behavioral angle. He identified four types of people:

1. Intelligent people – help others and themselves.

   
   

2. Helpless people – help others but hurt themselves.

   
   

3. Bandits – help themselves at others' expense.

   
   

4. Stupid people – hurt both themselves and others, often unknowingly.

   
   

Cipolla's "stupid person" isn’t necessarily someone with low intellect. Instead, it’s someone who acts in ways that are destructive to everyone, including themselves, without recognizing the harm they cause. He argued that stupidity is the most dangerous force in society because it is unpredictable and widespread.

Real-world example: Consider a person who shares a fake news story on social media claiming that a certain ethnic group is responsible for rising crime. That post can lead to fear, mistrust, and even violence. The person may think they’re just sharing information, but in reality, they’re spreading harm—to their community and themselves (by damaging their credibility and relationships).

What This Means for Us

Both Bonhoeffer and Cipolla highlight a crucial truth: the real danger isn’t just misinformation itself—it’s our failure to think critically and recognize harmful behavior. It’s easy to assume that only "other people" fall for fake news, conspiracy theories, or bad ideas. But the truth is, we are all vulnerable. That’s why promoting critical thinking is essential.

At ECI, we understand that critical thinking isn’t about being argumentative or always skeptical. It’s about:

• Questioning assumptions – even our own.

  
  

• Checking sources – and asking, “Who benefits if I believe this?”

  
  

• Creating safe spaces – where people can admit they were wrong or misled, without shame.

  
  

• Encouraging curiosity over certainty – because growth happens when we’re open to learning.

  
  

Real-world example: When someone in your family sends you an article with a shocking headline, instead of responding with "You're wrong," try: "Where did this come from? What do we know about this source?" Invite them into a dialogue instead of shutting them down.

What You Can Do

Start small, but start today:

• Before sharing an article, meme, or video, pause. Ask: Is this from a credible source? Is it supported by evidence?

  
  

• When in doubt, look for multiple sources that confirm the same story.

  
  

• Talk with your community about how to spot misinformation. The more we normalize critical thinking, the stronger we all become.

  
  

• Reflect on your own beliefs. Are you holding onto something because it’s true—or because it’s comfortable?

  
  

Real-world example: Community groups that organize "media literacy nights" or host workshops on spotting fake news are building resilience. Consider doing the same in your neighborhood, school, or faith group. ECI can help you get started.

Let’s Think Together

Bonhoeffer believed that resistance to injustice begins with reclaiming our ability to think. Cipolla showed us that the greatest harm often comes from those who act without thinking at all. In today’s fast-moving, opinion-driven world, it’s easy to fall into echo chambers or make decisions based on emotion instead of reason. That’s why ECI is committed to building communities where critical thinking is not just a skill, but a shared value.

Let’s commit to learning, questioning, and thinking—together.

Want to get involved? ECI offers workshops, discussion groups, and free resources to help individuals and organizations build critical thinking habits. Contact us to learn more or bring this program to your community.